Ahtyba Rubin closing in on return for Browns

The Cleveland Browns may finally be able to see their defensive tackle duo of Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor on the field together for the first time this season Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

According to Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Rubin returned to practice on Monday after missing most of the Browns’ last four games with a calf injury. Rubin was initially injured in the Browns 41-27 loss to the New York Giants in Week 5. After sitting out the following week, he played just one quarter against the Indianapolis Colts before returning to the sidelines. He has not played the last two weeks.

Taylor saw his first action of the season last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor missed the first seven games of the season coming off a torn pectoral. Per Reed, Cleveland finished 10th in total defense last season with Rubin and Taylor anchoring the middle of the Browns’ defense. This year, the Browns currently rank 24th, allowing 380 yards a game.

“We’re just chipping away, trying to get back out there 100 percent,” Rubin said. “When we do get out there, it’s gonna be something nice.”

Whether Rubin will be able to play this Sunday will still not be known until later in the week, but it’s a positive step toward being able to return to game-action.